Good afternoon everyone.
Throughout the COVID pandemic, there has been no shortage of people saying that the process of reopening economies and societies will be dictated by science. I support this, I suppose. My only question is which science will be determinative.
Let us examine:
1. A study conducted by a pharmaceutical company determined that the number of prescriptions for anti-depressants spiked more than 34% in the early days of the pandemic.
2. An article in QJM, which is an international journal of medicine associated with physicians in Great Britain and Ireland, notes several studies. On-line purchases of alcohol increased 243%. Studies cited within indicate increases in depression, anxiety, and insomnia. Still other research indicates significant increases in suicide when economies take significant, long-term downturns. Here is the link to the article: https://academic.oup.com/qjmed/advance-article/doi/10.1093/qjmed/hcaa202/5857612.
3. Research shows a marked decrease in emergency room visits for heart attacks and strokes (https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6925e2.htm).
To those who say that we will rely on the science, well and good. Depression, alcohol abuse, heart attacks, stroke, insomnia, and anxiety are medical issues, no less and no more than COVID. Which science will dominate in making the decision? Will it be the science of preventing the spread, which could lead to the other medical issues studied? Will it be the science of combatting depression, which may mean that we have to get out of our homes?
I do not know the answer to how to balance legitimate science that per force will require different, opposing responses. What I do know is that the folks who have to make such decisions have a significant challenge in this regard. I also know that research organizations usually have someone on staff to deal with thorny ethical issues like these. Science then demands an ethicist, or perhaps, a chaplain. Science is more than data. It must respond to the people who are affected.
May the best of the day be yours.
R/SCG
